Overview
A wiki is simply a web page with an edit button. There are so many advantages and reasons to use wikis in your classroom:
  • You don't have to know html code to make your page look nice.
  • It is very simple to add images, videos or files to complement your work. You don't need to understand html code to create a great looking webpage - and neither do your students.
  • Linking to other sites, whether its for additional info or for a citation, is also easy.
  • The wiki - and therefore, your work - is accessable anywhere, whether on or off campus.
  • Students can work both in and out of the class on group projects without having to meet outside of school.
  • The wiki can monitor collaborative work for you! As the teacher, you will know which student did what work when.
  • Wikis that Wikispaces can verify are for educational purposes get free upgrades to "Private" status!

Still Confused? Check this video out...
Wikis in Plain English

Practical Uses in Your Classroom
A great deal of research has been done about the use of wikis in the classroom. There are also several educational wiki sites that are packed full of ideas for use in your classroom. Click here for a list.

Try using a wiki for:

  • The Writing Process
  • Project-Based Wikis
  • Student-Created Reviews – tests, midterms, finals
  • Final Project wikis
  • Skirting that YouTube Block
    • Have a video on YouTube you want to use? I use mediaconverter.org to convert YouTube videos FROM HOME and save them to my computer for use at school.
    • Some features (like Media Converter and SlideShare) only work with Internet Explorer or Firefox - I don't like this either, I'm a Google Chome user. If something isn't working, try using another browser

How are you supposed to grade this? Click here to link to examples of pre-made Wiki Rubrics and tweek them for your use. There's no need to re-invent the wheel!

Assignments
Wiki Demo
Comparison Assignment


On Your Own
Chose one of the following to begin today and continue work on tomorrow:
  • Wiki for ALL of your classes, in one wiki (easier logon for you)
  • Wiki for ONE of your classes (to be separate from other classes altogether)
  • An assignment for your students to use wikis